Background
Barwis was the son of Anthony Barwis (1580–1616) and his wife Grace Fleming, daughter of William Fleming of Rydal.
Barwis was the son of Anthony Barwis (1580–1616) and his wife Grace Fleming, daughter of William Fleming of Rydal.
He supported the Parliamentarian side during the English Civil War. He was known as "Great Richard" Barwis because of his remarkable strength. He lived at Ilekirk Hall.
In 1634 he leased the Crosscanonby Salt Pans for 21 years on a lease which included plans for the construction of saltpans and cottages.
He was High Sheriff of Cumberland in 1635. Barwis was re-elected Member of Parliament for Carlisle in April 1640 for the Short Parliament and in November 1640 for the Long Parliament and held the seat until his death in 1648.
In summer 1645, in an incident known as the "Barwis Affair", Barwis and his associates were accused by the Scots commissioners in London of protecting royalist delinquents and of depriving the Scottish forces in the area of proper maintenance. Barwis was so strong that he was known as "Great Richard" and stories have been passed down of his exploits.
There is a large stone at Ilekirk which it is claimed he could easily throw the length of the courtyard.
Barwis died at the age of 47. Barwis married Frances Musgrave, daughter of Sir Edward Musgrave of Hayton Castle. He died without issue.
Short Parliament]
In 1628, Barwis was elected Member of Parliament for Carlisle and held the seat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament.
